Who is defined as a PINS?

Who is defined as a PINS?

• A. A person under 18 who does not attend school, is uncontrollable, and violates unlawful possession of marijuana
• B. A person under 18 who commits any felony
• C. A person over 18 who violates parole
• D. A person under 18 who runs away

Answer: (A)

PINS stands for Persons In Need of Supervision. This term is used for youths under 18 who require supervision because they are not under the control of their guardians or engage in non-criminal behaviors associated with needing supervision, such as truancy and being incorrigible or uncontrollable. The best choice fits because it describes a minor who does not attend school (truancy) and is uncontrollable (ungovernable), which are classic indicators of a PINS situation. The mention of unlawful possession of marijuana suggests additional troubling behavior by a youth, which can accompany PINS scenarios, but the core elements—being under 18, not attending school, and being uncontrollable—are the defining features. The other options describe different situations: a minor who commits any felony would be considered delinquency rather than a PINS case; a person over 18 violating parole is outside the PINS category; a minor who runs away is indeed a PINS scenario, but the choice that includes truancy and uncontrollability presents the most representative and comprehensive description of PINS.

PINS stands for Persons In Need of Supervision. This term is used for youths under 18 who require supervision because they are not under the control of their guardians or engage in non-criminal behaviors associated with needing supervision, such as truancy and being incorrigible or uncontrollable. The best choice fits because it describes a minor who does not attend school (truancy) and is uncontrollable (ungovernable), which are classic indicators of a PINS situation. The mention of unlawful possession of marijuana suggests additional troubling behavior by a youth, which can accompany PINS scenarios, but the core elements—being under 18, not attending school, and being uncontrollable—are the defining features.

The other options describe different situations: a minor who commits any felony would be considered delinquency rather than a PINS case; a person over 18 violating parole is outside the PINS category; a minor who runs away is indeed a PINS scenario, but the choice that includes truancy and uncontrollability presents the most representative and comprehensive description of PINS.